A worker health and safety representative is required in workplaces where less than 10 workers are employed. A firm that has more than one workplace (i.e. retail company with stores across the province, school board with schools across a district etc.) must have a separate worker health and safety representative for each location if the number of workers at each location is less than 10.

The employer must ensure that a worker, not connected with management, is designated as the worker health and safety representative. The representative must be elected by other workers or appointed by the labour union if applicable. The individuals name is to be posted in a prominent area in the workplace.

The main role of the worker health and safety representative is to monitor the health, safety and welfare of workers employed at the workplace.

The worker health and safety representative:

• connects the employer and the workers when it comes to addressing health and safety concerns at the workplace
• identifies and evaluates concerns
• makes recommendations for corrective actions
• promotes health and safety in the workplace
• participates in workplace inspections
• trained as per legislative requirements